Local firefighters climb for a cause

The Brighton Area Fire Department's team lines up for their turn to climb 71 flights of stairs during the American Lung Association's Fight for Air Climb on Sunday in Detroit.(Photo: Brighton Area Fire Department)

Local firefighters, including student cadets, donned their turnout gear and climbed 71 flights of stairs Sunday to benefit the American Lung Association.

The association’s Fight for Air Climb, which is its signature fundraising event, had nearly 40 firefighters from the Brighton Area Fire Department and Howell Area Fire Department climbing 71 floors — or more than 1,000 stairs – at the Detroit Marriott Tower at the Renaissance Center. The Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority also sent a team, but how many was not immediately available.

“Everyone has their reason” for participating, Brighton Area Fire Sgt. Bryan Berry said. “I lost my mother to COPD, and I climbed in memory of her.”

COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is a lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe.

Among the group participating were 10 high school students from the Livingston County Fire Academy at Howell High School.

Each firefighter climbed while wearing turnout gear, including a self-contained breathing apparatus, which adds about 50 pounds.

Berry said the American Lung Association works to research health-related issues for firefighters and its important to show their support. The local departments have participated for years.

In Brighton, Lt. Derrick Bunge and Aerial Platform Operator Firefighter Dave Mourer marked their fifth year of participating while Berry is in his fourth year.

In year’s past, Brighton had about 10-18 firefighters participate, but this year they had 35, including the high school students. That allowed them to surpass their traditional $3,000 donation mark.

As of Monday, the Brighton Area Fire Department had raised $12,002 — the largest donation from a fire team and the fourth highest overall in the Sunday event. Berry said donations were still coming in as of Monday.

The amount Howell and Hartland firefighters collected was not immediately available.

The donations will be used to help with research and education programs to fight diseases such as emphysema, asthma and lung cancer.

The climb began at around 9 a.m. with civilians taking the first steps followed by first responders and firefighters.

Following the climb, participants and their friends and family attended an after party where the climbers received a medal and everyone could dance, party or play, according to literature on the event.